Helotes — The City Council on June 26 reviewed a preliminary master-plan report from the Helotes Economic Development Corporation and told the EDC to prioritize added parking and improved trails at the Helotes Fitness Park and Disc Golf Course, with shade and a multiuse pavilion next and a 2–5‑year‑old playground ranked last for now.

The council said the master-plan work was meant to help the EDC apply for grants and that the report is still unfinished; staff and council members asked for a narrative and a summary of community survey responses before finalizing priorities.

Mayor (unnamed) said the consulting firm’s product is a “master plan” in scope but that the report still needs narrative detail and verification of public input. The mayor said, “Overwhelmingly, parking is absolutely needed. That’s been identified … across all boards.” Director comments and council discussion emphasized that added paved trail material would improve ADA access and reduce washouts in the park’s flood-prone areas.

Council members and EDC directors discussed EDC’s likely multiyear funding capacity. The council noted prior EDC budgets of roughly $200,000 per year and that unused EDC funds roll forward; one council member said that could amount to about $400,000 available over two years for the project. Council and staff also warned that several utility easements cross the park site and that any amenities will need to preserve access for maintenance and potential repairs.

Council members asked staff and the EDC to provide a narrative of the consultant’s survey, including how many respondents participated and what the community feedback showed. One council member said she expected the narrative to accompany the final work product and to include the number of survey respondents and summary findings.

No formal action was taken; council gave the EDC directional priorities in this order: (1) parking, (2) trails, (3) shade, (4) multiuse pavilion, and (5) playground for ages 2–5. Council members said the order is for EDC’s bidding and budgeting purposes and does not eliminate later consideration of lower-priority items.

The council also instructed staff and EDC to account for existing easements and maintenance needs in design and to provide the promised narrative and respondent counts before final approval.

The discussion closed with no vote; the council moved on to other agenda items.